]]>Holiday Closings: Christmas (Dec. 24 and 25) and New Year’s Dayhttps://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/holiday-closings-xmas-2018-ny-2019/
Thu, 20 Dec 2018 19:37:07 +0000https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/?post_type=news_release&p=19955Arlington County Government offices, courts and libraries will be closed on Mon., Dec. 24 and Tue., Dec. 25, 2018, for Christmas and on Tue., Jan. 1, 2019, for New Year’s Day. Courts will also be closed on Dec. 31, 2018, and libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.

Metered Parking will not be enforced on Dec. 24 and 25, 2018, or on Jan. 1, 2019

Trash & Recycling – There will be no trash and recycling services on December 25, 2018, or on January 1, 2019. Collections will be delayed one day for the rest of the week.

Christmas Tree collection will take place Dec. 31-Jan. 11. See details

]]>Guide to Celebrating the Holidays in Arlingtonhttps://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/release/holidays-safety-christmas-tree-snow-guide/
Thu, 13 Dec 2018 20:53:01 +0000https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/?post_type=news_release&p=19869The holidays can be a wonderful time in Arlington, a chance to celebrate with family, spend time with friends, and reflect on a new year.

Arlington’s guide to the holidays is here to help make this season fun, festive and safe. We hope it is truly the most wonderful time of the year, no matter how you choose to celebrate.

Make a List, and Check it Twice

Ensure your holidays are as festive as they are safe by keeping in mind some of these tips and precautions this season.

Keep Your Pipes FOG Free — Don’t let the health of our sewers go down the drain — especially during the big cooking (and eating) holidays. Fats, oils and grease, known collectively as “FOG,” represent the most serious enemy of our sewer lines and is the No. 1 cause of sewage backups in homes. FOG builds up in sewer lines when people wash grease down the drain. Can it, cool it, and throw it away.

If You See Something, Say Something® this Holiday Season — With the busy Holiday Season upon us, residents and visitors of Arlington are asked to help keep our community safe by remaining engaged and alert. Police are reminding the public about the importance of the “See Something, Say Something®” anti-terrorism public awareness campaign and urging residents to report suspicious activity for investigation.

Holiday Food Safety Tips — As the end of the year approaches, it’s likely there are multiple meals and parties in your future. Carrying food from one location to another and sharing dishes with a crowd means more opportunity for bacteria to grow and cause food poisoning. Whether you’re an experienced cook or simply adding a dish to the potluck lineup, follow these steps to keep your holiday season food poisoning-free.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

There is no shortage of great options for your holiday shopping in Arlington (have you checked out the Made in Arlington pop-up market?). With major indoor and outdoor shopping venues, charming European-style promenades, and hundreds of specialty shops and boutiques, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for in Arlington. And while you’re shopping this holiday season, keep in mind these great opportunities to help those who may be less fortunate.

Secret Santa — Want to help kids in foster care, low-income families and seniors, and people with disabilities? Learn how donating gift cards from area stores to the Secret Santa Program can make the holidays a bit brighter for more than 1,000 of your neighbors.

Let It Snow

While long-range forecasts vary, Arlington again hopes for the best — something like last winter’s lone one-day blast — while preparing for the worst. And remember that residents play a vital role in dealing with winter’s impact:

Coordinate with neighbors to park cars on one side of the street, where feasible, or avoid on-street parking so snowplow operators can efficiently clear a wider span of roadway

Don’t park “head in” on cul-de-sacs so plows have more room to maneuver

And Mom and Dad Can Hardly Wait for School to Start Again

With the Arlington Public Schools Winter Holiday running from Dec. 24, 2018 through Jan. 4, 2019, children in the County — and perhaps their parents, too — will be looking for fun seasonal activities. Fortunately, both Parks & Rec and Arlington Public Libraries have programs and classes to help keep every kid on the nice list.

Winter Break Camps — Kids can enjoy a variety of activities during DPR’s Kids in Action Winter Break Camps including fitness, health and nutrition, and creative arts, while those 10-14 years old will have fun games and trips with friends.

Holiday Drop and Shop — Parents, here is a great opportunity to get that holiday shopping completed. Drop off your child for a fun-filled evening of activities (obstacle courses, tumble tramp, foam pit, games and more) at Barcroft Sport & Fitness Center.Pizza and drink will be provided. $40 per child (ages 4-6). Sign up at registration.arlingtonva.us, activity #110510.

Upcycling Holiday Crafts: Book Trees — Join Glencarlyn Branch Library as they tap into some book-ish creativity by creating altered book holiday trees for a festive, literary centerpiece on Dec. 17.

Write a letter to Santa — On Dec. 18, kids can get help writing a letter to Santa. Everything you need will be provided at the Glencarlyn Branch Library.

Rockin’ Recyclin’ Around the Christmas Tree

Wondering what to do with that Christmas tree after the holidays? During the first two full weeks of each January, Christmas trees are collected curbside for residential homes with trash and recycling service. (Reminder: get the tree on the curb no later than 6 a.m., and remove all decorations.)

The trees will be transformed by the Department of Environmental Services into wood mulch for gardens. After Jan. 19, please prepare the tree for yard waste collection on your regular trash collection day.

Residents who don’t have curbside recycling service can bring Christmas trees to the Solid Waste Bureau during the Christmas tree collection season. Call 703-228-6570 to schedule an appointment, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Arlington County will perform maintenance on its Network Operations Center over the Veterans Day weekend, Sat., Nov. 10, 6 a.m. – Mon., Nov. 12, 5 p.m. The following applications will be unavailable during this time:

Granicus

Utility billing system and scheduling services

Traffic cameras

Permit Plus

Permits.arlingtonva.us

Circuit Court’s STARR system (Search Transfer Record Retrieve for wills and probate)

Arlington County government offices, libraries and other government facilities and services will be open on Monday, October 8, 2018. Virginia Commonwealth offices, including Arlington Courts, DMVs and Arlington Public Schools, will be closed in observance of Columbus Day. Trash and recycling services will operate on a normal schedule. Metered parking will not be enforced.

Road Closures – The Arlington County Police Department, Virginia State Police, United States Park Police, and the Virginia Department of Transportation will close multiple roadways on July 4. These closures are designed to facilitate the safe passage of large crowds for the Independence Day events and fireworks. See Traffic Alert: July 4th Road Closures for more detailed information.

Parking – Street parking in the areas of the US Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), Long Bridge Park, and the Air Force Memorial will be restricted. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. Learn more at Traffic Alert: July 4th Road Closures

Arlington County Government offices, courts, libraries and facilities will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018, for George Washington Day. Trash and recycling pickups will operate on a normal schedule for Monday customers.